Well i guess you have been worried about us since we have not checked in for a while, well to tell you the truth we have been too busy selling Lucky Heather and Tarmacing people's drives....a travellers live is a busy one! We have now picked up our camper van and we are enjoying seeing more of the countryside in the North Island. We managed to hitch a ride back down to Auckland with Martin and Damian, who dropped us off, so that we could pick up the camper. Its basic but functional, and we managed to get a good nights sleep too. We set off from Auckland Friday pm and arrived in Taupo around tea time and found a site for the night. The campsites here seem to be very well organised and clean with ... read more

Our week here in Raratonga is coming to an end and we are now on our last day. The week here has gone very quickly indeed and on our last full day we have been treated to fabulous weather. The sun is beating down on us with the heat tempered by a warm island breeze, making it a perfect day for spending on the beach. The last 24 hours have been exciting, as we have been in the middle of a tropical storm the name of which we cant remember, but it had previously been over Fiji and decided to drop in on us during Friday night. We awoke at 3am to the loudest rainstorm we have ever heard. So Saturday we got up early to watch the Rugby and were disappointed to learn that it ... read more

We arrived at 6:30 am and as we walked off the plane the heat and humidity felt like we had a hot wet blanket thrown over us. Quite a contrast from the temperature on the aircraft. Why is it that they try to freeze you to death on any flight, you would think it costs extra to heat the cabin to a reasonable temperature. Anyway, that aside, Rarotonga is a stunningly beautiful tropical island surrounded by white sandy beaches with several lagoons to swim and snorkel in. The pace of life is majestically slow and everyone seems very friendly, Yesterday we took the local bus ride into the capital Avarua. The bus route follows the only road on the island; one bus goes clockwise and the other anti-clockwise. The route round the island is only 32 ... read more

We hear that winter in the UK today means Snow and Ice so we are rather happy to be in the Beverley Hills (are alive with the Sound of Dollars)in the warm sunshine. we had a traditional breakfast cooked at home by our wonderful hostess Arlene, then headed off out on the obligatory trolly bus tour of the stars homes and all those fancy shops too. (note to James.....Big Birthday coming up) Lunch out side in Bouchon Bistro followed by an afternoon nap. Tonight we were back on Sunset Boulevard tucking into beefburgers, chicken steaks and what will no doubt be the first of many birthday cakes. As three of us squeezed into the car for the ride home, we quickly worked out that we now had over 150 years of experience on the back seat ... read more

Just thought that i would let you know that i have re put the Hong Kong Pictures up again as they somehow went missing Looking forward to seeing you Andrew... read more